Closure of ‘educational institutions’ is the demolition of the nation

Most governments around the world had decided to temporarily close educational institutions in an attempt to reduce the spread of COVID-19. As of 30 September 2020, approximately 1.077 billion learners are currently affected due to school closures in response to the pandemic. According to UNICEF monitoring, 53 countries are currently implementing nationwide closure sand 27 are implementing local closures, impacting about 61.6 percent of the world’s student population while schools in 72 countries’ are currently open.
On 23 March 2020, Cambridge International Examinations (CIE) released a statement announcing the cancellation of Cambridge IGCSE, Cambridge O Level, Cambridge International AS & A Level, Cambridge AICE Diploma, and Cambridge Pre-U examinations for the May/June 2020 series across all countries. International Baccalaureate exams have also been cancelled. In addition, Advanced Placement Exams, SAT administrations, and ACT administrations have been moved online and cancelled.
Closures of schools impact not only students, teachers, and families but have far-reaching economic and societal consequences. School closures in response to the pandemic have shed light on various social and economic issues including student debt, digital learning, food insecurity, and homelessness, as well as access to childcare, healthcare, housing, internet, and disability services. The impact was more severe for disadvantaged children and their families, causing interrupted learning, compromised nutrition, childcare problems, and consequent economic cost to families who could not work.
In response to school closures, UNESCO recommended the use of distance learning programs and open educational applications and platforms that schools and teachers can use to reach learners remotely and limit the disruption of education.
Many countries have reopened their schools and proper classes are being taken with strict SOPs. Similarly, in Pakistan, all the educational institutions had been working under the fully SOPs despite that all the educational institutions have been closed again since 26th of November.
The government has announced an order for online classes however online classes are not being fully facilitated. Students do not have a suitable source to attend the classes because most of the students who are learning undergraduate programs or post-graduate don’t have source to attend online classes. Besides, there are many students who belong to outskirt sides where the internet does not work. Again. If we talk about Karachi, the internet connectivity problems are common everywhere also in Karachi therefore students cannot get advantage through remote teaching methods.
The Sindh educational minister, Saeed Ghani, clearly declared the closure of educational institutions. However, if it is observed in the province that all the markets, shopping Malls, transport & other government offices are open with fully SOPs.
To sum up, the closure of the schools, colleges, and universities impacts a lot on the future of young generation. There is huge loss of students by giving gaps again and again in education. It also impacts on Pakistan’s economy. Closure of the educational institutions is the demolition of Nation. However, the government itself seems to be less concerned with the issue, although it should concentrate on the issue and reopen all educational institutions with full SOPs as everything is open.